The NFC Forum has added a new membership category, allowing those companies actually using the technology in the field to join the non-profit organization. Appropriately named “implementer,” the new category complements existing NFC Forum membership levels which are primarily targeted at technical specification development.

As more commercial NFC applications are developed and deployed, Implementer membership is expected to provide a platform for companies that work with NFC on a daily basis.

Available at an annual cost of $5,000, the Implementer level entitles members to several NFC Forum benefits, including

Attending and participating in Marketing Committee Working Group and Task Force meetings;

Reviewing pre-release drafts of specifications during the committee review period;

Participating at member rates in NFC Forum marketing-related events;

Participating in NFC Forum members-only Plugfests; and

Receiving member discounts on product certification.

“No one knows more about customer needs and best practices than the companies that deliver NFC solutions around the world every day,” said Koichi Tagawa, chairman of the NFC Forum. “The Implementer level brings NFC Forum membership within reach of these organizations, and as we work together to build the future of NFC, their knowledge and expertise should prove to be very valuable.”

In addition to the Implementer level, the NFC Forum offers for-profit companies the following membership levels: Associate, $10,000; Principal, $25,000; and Sponsor, $50,000. Membership for non-profits is available for an annual fee of $1,000.